dry stack stone cottage

[pklite]

hi i live in an old stone cottage made using the dry stacking method and pointed with mud and lime i recently put a conservatory on the gable side and now need to make a doorway from the conservatory into the house what is the correct method of opening up a doorway and fitting lentels in a stone wall without the whole wall collapsing.
dave

[kenty]

knock off plaster or finishes about a foot above new door height and remove stones right through wall. do this every 2 foot over opening. slide a timber plank through of adequate size 8x2 should do and prop each end up with acro props available from any hire center. once propped the wall beneath can be removed and built back up with a lintel fitted over the opening.
make sure you tightly fit stones between lintel and house stones. remember to leave just enough room to get planks out then patch up there holes.

[thedoctor]

See our project on forming openings through walls.